Under the biography we can see our Paramacharya’s first Vijaya Yatra to Tiruvanaikkaval a holy place situated near Tiruchi. The visit was to see the Kumbabhishekam being performed at the Temple. Later Periyava visits his Paramaguru’s (Maha Devendra Sarasvati) Adishtanam at Ilayathangudi.

In the section teachings of Mahaperiyava talks upon the “Ways to reduce Crime” explains the responsibility for every citizen and those who are in the Government, which is relevant in the current situation.

Under the Mircales of Mahaperiyava we are going to unravel the experience of North Indian Setji which I believe reveal the significance of our dharma shastras.

Finally the sayings of Periyava has been captured in the form of “Ten Commandments” for us to read and contemplate.

I hope you will cherish reading this!

Please give your valuable feedback.

Happy reading!

Warm Regards,

A.V. Devan4.5.2011 /Chennai

Excerpts from the Biography

First Vijaya Yatra

The Peetathipathis of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam had taken upon themselves as part of their pontifical duties, traveling around, giving audience to people, giving them advice and encouraging their spiritual growth. Our swamigal also wanted to take on such a journey after becoming the Peetathipathi. The pilgrimage temple Thiruvanaikaval situated near Tiruchirapalli was a very famous place said to have been built by Kochengad Chozhan in the sangam times. Adisankara had performed Thatanga Prathistai [Consecration of Golden Ear Rings] to the Sri Akilandeshwari Ambal in that temple.

The S. Ram family from Kanadukathan had spent lakhs of rupees in renovating the temple and had arranged for its Kumbahishekam to be conducted in February of 1908. It was well known event of that period. Sri Saraddha Mutt Peetadipathi, Jagadguru Sri Narasimha Bharathi Swamigal also graced this event with his presence. Specially appointed administrative officer Sri Rajam Iyer took care of all arrangements for the Kumbabhishekam.

An invitation was sent to the young Swamigal to participate in the Kumbahishekham. For Swamigal who was already eager to go on a yatra, this turned out to be an opportune reason. He left Kumbakonam on an auspicious day, reached a week before the event and was witness to the successful completion of the Kumbahishekam. After the event, Swamigal stayed for a couple of days at Pandamangalam agraharam, which is situated close to the Uraiyur, the historic capital of Chola Kings.

Darshan of Paramaguru’s Adhishtanam

Swamigal wanted to have darshan of the adhistanam of 65th Acharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, Sri Maha Devendra Saraswathi Swamigal. The adhistanam is situated in the village of Illayanthangudi, located in the Ramanathapuram district. Enroute he passed Kadiyappati, Konapattu, Keezha Sevalpatti and other villages belonging to Chettinadu where he was received with honors by the villagers as well as prominent members of the Chettinadu community. While he stayed few days in these places, he was persuaded to stay for 15 days at Pudukkottai. Both the royalty and the people of Pudukkottai have historically been closely associated with the Kanchi Mutt. They gathered together in great numbers to have darshan of their young guru and celebrated his stay in a grand manner. The King’s younger brother Sri Vijaya Ragunatha Durairaja, Diwan Venkataramadas Naidu and other Government officials gave a royal welcome to Swamigal. The temple in Ilayathangudi was the oldest of all temples in Chettinadu. It was once the common temple for the all of the Nagarathar Community before they split into eight divisions (Mathur, Vairavan Koil, Iraniyur, Pillayarpatti, Nemam, Iluppaikudi, Soorakudi and Velangudi) and founded famous temples there. The residing deity in Ilayathangudi is Sri Nithya Kalyani sametha Kailasanathar.

The 65th pontiff of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, Sri Maha Devendra Saraswathi Swamigal stayed at Ilayathangudi for a few months during his yatra of Chettinadu. The nagarathar of the local temple showed their affection and respect to the Acharya and made all necessary arrangements for his comfortable stay. One day the Acharya was walking around the village and stopped at a place full of thorny bushes and stayed there for a while. The next day, he requested the local Devasthana trust, if they could donate that piece of land to the mutt. The trust members, not understanding the Acharya, offered to donate another piece of land near there. But the Swamigal insisted on the same piece of land. Within a week of this event, Swamigal’s health dwindled and he attained siddhi on Thursday, a new moon day, 8th day of Panguni in the year of Virodhi (20-3-1980). The local people amazed at the events that happened a week ago, established the adhishtanam in the place pointed by the Swamigal and also installed a Shivalingam and Adi Shankara’s statute there. That temple is maintained by Ilayathangudi Devasthanam even today. Our Swamigal, having exemplary devotion to Guru, left for Thiruvanaikaval with the intention of going to Ilayathangudi. From Pudukottai, he went to Ilayathangudi to have darshan of the Adhishtanam and on the way back, stayed in Thiruvanaikaval where he spent his first Chaturmasya Vratha.

He returned to Kumbakonam via Tanjore. The royal family of Tanjore including the queens Sri Jeejambhabai, Sri Ramambhabai, Senior Prince Shivajiraja Saheb and junior prince Prathabaasimharaja Saheb welcomed Swamigal to the palace where they performed bhikshavandanam and paada puja. The public were also invited to participate in the pujas and obtain the blessings of the Swamigal. The procession arranged by the public in Tanjore was very grand and lasted from seven in the evening to two in the morning, when they returned to the Mutt.

Deivathin Kural - Teachings of Mahaperiyava

The way to reduce Crime

Why does a government exist? In a country those who are strong may subject the weak to cruelty. A large group may create difficulties for a smaller group. Some people may join together and force a person to give up his house, property etc and appropriate them illegally. A government came into existence to ensure that such things do not happen and there is order. What does this government do to prevent those indulging in wrong doings from doing so? It gives punishment. Many people are prevented from indulging in wrong actions for fear of punishment.

To a person who has committed some cruel acts, the government metes out more cruelty. If a person robs ten rupees, the person who is the victim suffers only a little but greater suffering is inflicted on the one who stole by way of imprisonment for several days. It is only by so doing that a person will not indulge in the same crime again and also others will be afraid to commit the crime. This is the basis on which the law relating to punishment has been formulated. When we look at human psychology, this has to be accepted.

But at the same time, the government should develop a better method than this. Someone being punished after he has committed a crime or someone not indulging in crime for fear of punishment and not out of the feeling of Dharma are only secondary. What is most desirable is to ensure that people do not at all get thoughts of indulging in crime.

The governments may have to follow in practice the Artha Sasthra that when someone indulges in a cruel crime, the government has to inflict greater cruelty on the one who committed the crime. At the same time, the government has to understand at least as an ideal that this Artha Sasthra has to fall at the feet of Dharma Shastra.

If the government creates an atmosphere in which good people following the Dharma Sasthra come up in large numbers, the tendency of people to indulge in crime will gradually decline. If there are ways by which, those who know Dharma and follow Dharma can grow in numbers, they by their own example will spread peace and good conduct. Wars and crimes will come down.

To begin with, those holding positions in the government should be those who follow Dharma. Those who are committed to the ways of Dharma should conduct the affairs of the state in such a way that people would believe that what they say and do is not for their own good but for the people only. If those who are committed to Dharma tell the people in a peaceful way about Dharma, people will conduct themselves according to it.

The government alone cannot create a crimeless state. People who are committed to Dharma should join hands with the government and should do this. The government should create the atmosphere conducive for such people to act according to Dharma.

The government should concentrate more on enlarging the circle of those committed to Dharma than increasing the police and the courts. The government should provide enthusiastic support to those who preach Dharma in a peaceful manner with the object of helping others and not themselves. By such enthusiasm more such people will come up. To show by personal example is more powerful than preaching. If courts are increasing it means that crimes are on the rise. Instead of this if there are more temples, greater peace will spread everywhere. The Kings in olden times built temples instead of courts. They renovated old temples. All arts or recreation were made divine and dedicated to the temple. People also worshipped at the temples and were peaceful. The social discard and misunderstanding which are now prevalent were not there. Instead of making laws to prevent crimes, people should be shown a proper path and turned to it and thus reduce the chances of their thinking of crime and indulging in it. It is best to show what is good and ensure peace instead of meeting out punishment. Such a peace only will remain permanent. It is enough if the government treats with respect, those who are for peace, good people and those committed to Dharma. These good qualities will on their own grow among the people.

Mahaperiyava Miracles

Mukkur & Setji

Mukkur Sri Lakshmi Narasimhacharya was a renounced exponent on religious discourses was an ardent devotee of Kanchi Periyava. Before commencing his discourse he invariably talks about Periyava and his greatness and then only proceed further on his deliberations.

Once a North Indian Setji used to attend his religious discourse as a routine. The Setji had a disease and he could not eat through the mouth and food was injected in his body through the stomach. All his attempts to cure the disease viz., medication, visit to many temples, doing parikaras etc., were eventually failed. Upon hearing the greatness of Periyava through Mukkur Setji decided to visit Periyava and requested Mukkur to take him to Periyava. Mukkur informed Setji that he will seek the permission first from Periyava himself and then he will take to him.

Mukkur then met Periyava and informed about Setji and his request for meeting Periyava. Periyava, however replied in negative and said “not now”. Later when Setji asked Mukkur regarding his meeting of Periyava, Mukkur tried telling Setji that the meeting will happen later. However he could not withstand the pestering Setji and one day took him straight to the place where Periyava was staying and then informed Periyava that the Setji has come to meet him.Periyava then told Mukkar to inform him to engage himself in devotional and other religious activities so that he will be cured by the Grace of the God. Mukkur however replied Periyava that Setji is already engaged in all sorts of devotional activities and even gives more in charity.Periyava then thought for a while and asked Mukkur

“Will he do what I say?”

“I Will ask him to do Periyava”

“Will he print all the eighteen Puranas as separate books in Sanskrit and donate them to all the Vedic Scholars?”

“Definitely Periyava”

Periyava then blessed both Mukkur and Setji and send them off.

Setji upon his return started printing the Puranas in Sanskrit and started distributing to all the Vedic Scholars located in various States.

Even after publishing 17 out of the 18 Puranas there was no sign of recovery for Setji. However Setji’s dedication was awesome and he continued the noble activity despite his ill health.

The grace of Mahaperiyava started pouring when he commenced the activity for the 18th Purana which is Skanda Purana i.e. Purana which details the divine glory of Lord Skanda or Muruga. His health started improving and he started eating through the mouth slowly. Setji and his family very happy on this.

Mukkur and Setji later visited Periyava and thanked periyava.

Mukkur told “Only by the Grace of Periyava Setji got cured.”

However Mahaperiyava humbly denied and told them it is divine power of the Dharma Shastras (Religious Scriputres) of our Country that has cured him and showered his blessings on them!

Ten Commandments of Mahaperiyava

1. Salvation is sure for a person if he merely performs the karma-anushtanas (duties & rituals) as prescribed in the Vedas.

2. Sountharya Lahari is nothing but the Sountharyam (divine beauty) of Ambal’s face which is radiating and pervades everywhere (Lahari).

3. The saanithya (prime spot) for the cow is in its back. For the elephant it is in the Masthaga. For the Vilvam the significance lies in the bottom side of the leaf. For the Lotus the sannithya is in its upper portion.

4. For the pavithra sthree (noble ladies) the sannithya is in the upper portion of the head known as Seemantham. The pavithra sthrees should apply Kungumam at the seemantham.

5. The Paramatma or the Supreme Soul is like our non separable bandhu (close relative).

Through bhakti or devotion we unconsciously merge with that Paramatama. Till we merge there will not be any peace or Shanthi.

6. Ignorance of truth is like a disease. The medicine to cure this disease is to realize the Jnana. One who helps us to realize that Jnana (Anugraha) is Ambal, who is the Jaganmatha. If one mediates on Ambal the divine mother, she will feed us with the (Jaana-ppaal), Knowledge Milk. We will realize the bliss if we mediate on Ambal. The ignorance will be removed and will be blessed with the divine truth.

7. We are “Pasu” tied with the knot of attachment “Paasam”. If the Pathi (God) cuts that “Paasam” knot, we the “Pasu” can join that “Pathi” and become very close to him.

8. The lower portion of the Linga is called as “Brahma Baagam”. The middle portion is known as “Vishnu Baagam” and the upper portion is “Shiva Baagam”. The Jyoti is Linga and Linga is nothing but Jyoti. If one notices a Jyoti, the lower portion will be Yellow in colour, the middle portion will be Black and the upper portion is of Red colour. The yellow colour is that of colour of Brahma, the middle Black colour is that of Vishnu and the Red colour is that of Shiva.

9. Advaita is the basis for smooth cross border relationship, politics, economics, and social relationship.

10. The entire world is one family. The family’s mother is Ambal and Father is Ishwaran.